Matrix drying and forming machine



C. C. BAKER May 11, 1943.

MATRIX DRYING AND FORMING MACHINE Filed Oct. 21, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 'l v INVENTOR.

7 law/c M ATTORNEY.

11, 19 3- c. c. BAKER MATRIX DRYING AND FORMING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 21, 1939 m m E W M W 3v flu May 11, 1943.

c. C.'BAKER I MATRIX DRYING AND FORMING MACHINE Filed Oct. 21, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS 11, 1 :3- c. CQBAKER 2,319,030

MATRIX DRYING AND FORMING MACHINE Filed Oct. 21, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented May 11, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MATZREX DRYENG AND FORMING MACHINE Craig 0. Baker, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application October 21, 1939, Serial No. 309,681

8 Claims.

My invention relates to that class of machines generally known as matrix drying and forming machines, and which are designed for the purpose of forming moist matrices into the shape required before being used as molds for the casting of newspaper stereotypes. These matrices are composed of a mixture of paper-pulp and clay and receive impressions of the type and other matter to be printed, by being pressed while moist onto such type as may be locked up in a chase. The matrix receives this impression while flat, but has the ends raised above the level of the face of the type and the rest of the matrix, these raised and shaped ends being known as bolsters. This machine forms the matrices into the curved form required when used as stereotype molds. It also extracts the moisture from the matrices. It is very desirable that the form of these bolsters be maintained during the entire period while the drying and forming process takes place. The usual method of drying and forming such matrices is to place the moist matrix between two complementary curved forms and to provide means for the application of heat while the matrix is so held in the machine. As the matrix is moist when placed in the machine, the application of heat results in a decided shrinkage of the matrix, and therefore means must be provided to maintain the form of the bolsters during the drying and shrinking period if warping and distortion are to be avoided.

The purposes of my invention are as follows: (1) To provide a means, which may be known as bolster form retaining bars, for maintaining a raised margin or bolster on each end of the matrix. (2) To so arrange the said bolster form retaining bars that each will not only contact and maintain the form of each bolster, when the matrix is first placed in the machine, but are also adapted to contact and to follow the shrinkage of the matrix, thus preventing warping or distortion of any kind. (3) To provide means whereby the said bolster form retaining bars may be moved apart from each other to facilitate the placement of the matrix in the machine, fellowed by a partial closure of the said bars during the forming and drying period. (4) To provide a machine with a convex member having attached thereto heating elements, and a concave member adapted to hold the said matrix during the forming and drying period, the said concave member being so designed as to fit tightly over the convex member and hingedly mounted on a suitable frame; (5) To provide means for the evacuation of vapor and moisture resulting from the application of heat; and (6) To provide means for moving the said bolster form retaining bars by fluid pressure, vacuum, or electrical operations, such as by solenoids.

I illustrate my invention by the accompanying drawings in which similar numerals refer to similar parts in the several views. Figure 1 is an isometric view of the machine with the curved perforated plate in its open position ready to receive the matrix. Figure 2 is an isometric view showing the machine with the curved perforated plate in its closed position. This view also shows one method whereby the bolster form retaining bars may be linked together in a manner that will result in their equal and opposite movement. Figure 3 is a sectional view showing the bolster form retaining bars in their contact position and a spring method of causing the follow-up movement of the bars. Figure 4 is an enlarged scale isometric view of the inside of the curved perforated plate showing the bolster form retaining bars in position. Figure 5 is an end View of the face heater and the perforated plate in the closed position. Figure 6 is an end view of the perforated plate in the open position as compared with that shown in Figure 5. Figure 7 is an isometric view of the machine in its closed position showing diagrammatically cylinders for operating the bolster form retaining bars by fluid pressure, or vacuum, or solenoids, applied in a similar manner. Figure 8 is a detail crosss'ectional view through the perforated plate in its closed position, showing diagrammatically the means of applying the fluid pressure or vacuum, and with the control valve in position to cause the bolster form retaining bars to follow up the matrix as it shrinks. Figure 9 is a detail cross sectional view through the fluid control valve in position to open the bolster form retaining bars for the insertion of the matrix. Figure 10 is a sectional view of the control valve arranged for vacuum operation and in position to cause the bolster form retaining bars to follow up the matrix as it shrinks. Figure 11 is a sectional .view of the control valve arranged for vacuum operation and in position to open the bolster form retaining bars for the insertion of the matrix. Figure 12 is a horizontal plan view of the control valve showing the bolster return spring. Figure 13 is a detail cross-sectional view through the perforated plate in its closed position showing diagrammatically the solenoids in position to contact and follow the movement of the bolster form retaining bars as the matrix shrinks; and

also showing the weak compression springs which increase the distance between the said bars when the perforated plate is in the open position and the solenoids de-energized.

Figure 14 is a transverse section of the perforated plate in its closed position, showing diagrammatically the double solenoids and the reversing switch in the closed position, energizing the solenoids which actuate the follow-up movement of the bolster form retaining bars. Figure is a diagrammatic view of the electric switch showing the switch lever in position to energize the solenoids which increase the distance between the said bolster form retaining bars. Figure 16 is a partial diagrammatic view of the electric switch, showing the switch lever in position to energize the solenoids which decrease the distance between the said bolster form retaining bars.

The construction of my device is as follows: I is a frame having mounted thereon afaceheater which includes a curved form 2, preferably of metal, covered with a non-inflammable cushioning material 3 of sufficient thickness to be resilient to pressure applied thereon. At the ends of the face-heater and outside this cushion 3 is a frame 6 having attached thereto a plurality of electric heating elements 4. Adjacent to the heating elements 4 and outside of them is a blanket 5, also of non-inflammable material. Revolvably secured to the frame I by means of the hinges 1 is a perforated plate 8 which is curved to conform to the curvature of the face-heater. This plate 8 is adapted to receive the moist matrix M and has movably attached to it near each end a bolster form retaining bar 9. The function of these bars 9 is to be opened or moved away from each other to permit the insertion of the matrix M when the perforated plate 8 is in its open position, and to be moved toward each other, contacting the ends of the matrix when the perforated plate is closed with the matrix in position, between the face-heater and the perforated plate. The movement of these bolster form retaining bars may be accomplished in a variety of ways, and the mechanical means shown in the drawings are only a few of the many different methods of detail construction. In the mechanical means shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 the perforated plate 8 has adjacent to its inner surface the bolster form retaining bars 9 and their connecting links ID. The bars 9 are movably secured to the plate 8 by convenient means, such as the pins and slots H which allow only a limited movement but suflicient to enable the ends of the said bars to contact the ends of the matrix M. Located in the frame I, near the four corners of the plate 8 are springs I! so disposed as to contact the lower ends of the bolster bar links In and move them and also the bars 9 themselves into contact with the ends of the matrix M whenever the perforated plate 8 is in its closed position. These springs l! are of the correct compression to hold this contact but not exerting a force that would distort the matrix. Opening springs l2 of a weaker tension open or separate the bars 9 when the perforated plate 8 is in its open position. The springs l2 and I! are attached to the machine and are now connected to the bolster form retaining bars.

In the form shown in Figure 2 the rods I3 are connected to the bars 9 through slots I9 in the perforated plate 8 and extend upwardly to approximately the center of the plate 9 and on its outer periphery. At their upper ends they are connected to the levers [4. By this means the movement of the bars 9 can be co-ordinated and produce equal movement but in opposite directions. Extending downwardly from the rods I3 are lugs I8 so arranged that when the perforated plate 8 is brought into its closed position the lugs I8 will strike the top of the frame I and will therefore operate all of the rods 13 and the levers l4, and thereby move bolster form retaining bars 9 into the closed position.

The bolster bar mechanism shown in Figure 8 illustrates one method by which the said bolster form retaining bars 9 can be operated by fluid pressure or vacuum. This method consists of mounting double acting pistons 20 located in cylinders 2|, secured to the perforated plate 8 and having their piston rods 22 rigidly or integrally connected to lugs 23 which are secured to or integral with the bolster form retaining bars 9. The cylinders 2| are so mounted in the joints 24 as to permit a slight oscillation due to angularity of movement. The lugs 23 extend through the slots IS in the perforated plate 8. Connected, one to each end of each cylinder, are suitable conduits 25 and 26, said conduits being connected to a source of fluid or air pressure 21, and a fourway valve 28 being interposed between the conduits 25 and 26 and the source of power 21. The rotatable core 29 of the valve 28 is provided with a lever arm 30 adapted to be moved by a lug 3| attached to the lower front portion of the perforated plate 8. When the perforated plate 8 is closed the valve core 29 is so positioned that the conduit 26 is connected through a port 32 in said valve and out through the exhaust pipe 33. At the same time the opposite port 34 connects the conduit 25 with the source of supply 21. A spring 35 is provided to reverse the setting of the valve core 29 when the perforated plate 8 is open. It will be noted that the operation, when working with a vacuum instead of pressure, will require that the valve 28 be set in a manner exactly opposite to that required when using fluid pressure, as will be seen by reference to Figures 11 and 12.

The arrangement shown in Figure 13 is similar to that in Figure 8, but solenoids 36 are substituted for the cylinders 2|. The plungers or armatures 31 are secured to the bolster form retaining bars 9 by means of the lugs 23 in the same manner as shown in Figure 8. In this case an electric switch would be used and actuated by a lug 3| on the lower front portion of the perforated plate 8. If desired, double solenoids can be used, one for increasing the distance between the said bars, and one for decreasing the distance, the operation of the solenoids being controlled by an electric switch. Weak compression springs 5| are provided for increasing the distance between the said bolster form retaining bars. They are contained in the cases 50 and bear on the ends of the solenoid armatures 31.

The operation of my device is'as follows: The machine having been assembled as hereinbefore described, the perforated plate 8 is raised on its hinges 1 into its open position as shown in Figure 6. The relatively weak opening springs l2 come into action, moving the bolster form retaining bars 9 into their open position; that is, opening to an increased distance between them. The matrix M is then inserted between them with the ends raised and located over the ends iii of the said bars. The perforated plate 8 is then closed down over the face heater 2, enclosing the matrix between the said heater and plate. The current is then turned on the heating elements 4. The heat passing through the blanket dries out the moisture from the matrix, the vapor passing through the perforations in the plate 8. This results in a shrinkage of the matrix, and the bolster form retaining bars 9, being in contact with the ends of the matrix and impelled by the springs l1, follow the movement of the matrix ends, holding them in perfect shape and avoiding any warping or distortion of the said matrix. When the matrix has been in the machine and subjected to the heat for a sufiicient length of time, the perforated plate 3 is raised or opened, and the opening springs l2 having retracted the bolster form retaining bars 9, the matrix is then removed.

Many variations in the manner of operating the bolster form retainin bars 9 may be devised and applied without departing from the spirit of my invention. Some of these variations are hereinbefore described and shown in Figures 8 and 13.

In the form illustrated by Figures 14, and 16, and which is designed for electrical operation of the bolster form retaining bars, Figure 14 is a transverse section through the perforated plate 8. Figure 15 is a diagram of the electrical circuit when set to separate the said bars. Figure 16 is a partial diagram of the electrical circuit when set to cause the bars to follow the matrix M as it shrinks. Secured to the perforated plate 8 by the screws 48, or by other suitable means, are two solenoids 49 which are for the purpose of drawing the bolster form retaining bars upwardly into a position whereby the said bars follow the shrinkage of the matrix M, when the plate 8 is in the closed position. Secured in a similar manner are two other solenoids 36 which provide for increasing the distance between the bars when the plate 8 is in its open position. Mounted within each of the pairs of solenoids 36 and ii) are the armatures 4!, connected to each other by the bar 42. Located midway of the length of the bar 42 is a pin 43 arranged to engage a slot in the bracket 48. This construction compensates the angularity caused by the bars moving in a straight line while the brackets 55 move on a curve. These brackets are connected to the bolster form retaining bars by means such as the screws 49. A source of power is provided, such as the battery 52. Of course line current may be used if preferred. 53 is a reversing switch and has two terminals connected, one to the solenoids and one to the solenoids in, these terminals being indicated by the numerals 36-A and A respectively. Switch lever 5 is pivotally mounted and is normally held by the spring in the position holding the bars in their open position. The switch is reversed by the action of the rod 41 which contacts the lever 54 when the matrixforming plate is closed, this movement throwing the switch-lever 54 into contact with the terminal it-A, energizing the solenoids 40 and causing the bars to follow up the shrinkage of the matrix. When the forming plate is opened the rod 41 is disengaged from the lever 54 and the spring 55 throws the lever into contact with the terminal 36A, thus moving the bars into their separated position ready to receive the matrix.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine of the class described, having a face-heater including a curved wall for supporting a matrix to be dried and provided with heating elements and a flexible resilient cover secured to the face heater to overlie the same, together with a curved perforated matrix-forming plate hingedly mounted on said face heater to conform to the shape of said face-heater when closed; the combination of a perforated matrix-forming plate having movably mounted thereon bolster form retaining bars, mechanical means for increasing the distance between said bolster form retaining bars to facilitate the insertion of said matrices when the said perforated matrix-forming plate is in its open position and means to move said bolster form retaining bars to contact and follow the said matrix as it shrinks due to the evacuation of moisture by heat when said matrix-forming plate is in its closed position, said means comprising cylinders attached to said perforated matrix-forming plate, double-acting fluid-actuated pistons and rods in said cylinders and connected to said bolster form retaining bars; the movement and reversal of said pistons being controlled by a four-way valve actuated by said perforated matrix-forming plate.

2. In a machine of the class described, having a face-heater including a curved wall for supporting a matrix to be dried and provided with heating elements and a flexible resilient cover secured to the face heater to overlie the same, together with a curved perforated matrix-forming plate hingedly mounted on said face heater to conform to the shape of said face-heater when closed and having bolster form retaining bars movably mounted thereon; mechanical means for increasing the distance between said form retaining bars to facilitate the insertion of said matrices when the said perforated matrix-forming plate is in its open position and electrical means for decreasing the distance between said bolster form retaining bars when the said matrix-forming plate is in its closed position, whereby the said bars contact and follow the said matrix as it shrinks due to the evacuation of moisture by heat; said mechanical means for increasing the distance between the said bars, consisting of compression springs; and said electrical means for decreasing the distance between said bars, consisting of solenoids; a control switch actuated by said perforated plate; both of said mechanical and electrical means being attached to the said machine and to said bolster form retaining bars.

3. In a machine of the class described. the combination of a face-heater provided with heating elements and a flexible resilient cover, a perforated matrix-forming plate of a shape complementary to the shape of said face-heater when mounted on said perforated matrix-form ng plate provided with means for increasing the distance between said bolster form retaining bars to facilitate the insertion of said matrices when said perforated matrix-forming plate is in its open position, said means being attached to the said machine and connected to said bolster form retaining bars and means whereby in its closed position said bolster form retaining bars are adapted to contact and follow the said matrix as it shrinks due to the evacuation of moisture by heat; said last mentioned means being attached to the said machine and connected to said bolster form retaining bars.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a face-heater provided with heating elements and a flexible resilient cover, a perforated matrix-forming plate of a shape complementary to the shape of said face-heater when closed; bolster form retaining bars movably mounted on said perforated matrix-forming plate p ed with mechanical means for increasing the distance between said bolster form retaining bars to facilitate the insertion of said matrices when said perforated matrix-forming plate is in its open position, said means being attached to the said machine and connected to said bolster form retaining bars; and means whereby in'its closed position said bolster form retaining bars are adapted to contact and follow the said matrix as it shrinks due to the evacuation of moisture by heat; said last mentioned means being attached to the said machine and connected to said bolster form retaining bars.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a face-heater including a curved wall for supporting a matrix to be dried and provided with heating elements and a flexible resilient cover secured to the face heater to overlie the same, a curved perforated matrix-forming plate of a shape complementary to the shape of said face-heater when closed; means hingedly connecting said matrix-forming plate to said faceheater; bolster form retaining bars movably mounted on said perforated matrix-forming plate, mechanical means for increasing the distance between said bolster form retaining bars to facilitate the insertion of said matrix when said perforated matrix-forming plate is in its open position, electrical means to move said bolster form retaining bars to contact and follow the matrix as it shrinks, due to the evacuation of moisture by heat when said matrix-forming plate is in its closed position; said electrical means consisting of solenoids attached to the machine and attached to the bolster form retaining bars,

and said mechanical means consisting of compression springs to operate the solenoid armatures of said machine when the current is off, said compression springs engaging the solenoid armatures and an abutment carried by said matrix-forming plate.

6. In a machine of the class described, having a face-heater including a curved wall for supporting a matrix to be dried and provided with heating elements and a flexible resilient cover secured to the face heater to overlie the same, together with a curved perforated matrix-forming plate hingedly mounted on said face heater to conform to the shape of said face-heater when closed; the combination of a perforated matrix-forming plate having movably mounted thereon bolster form-retaining bars, mechanical means for increasing the distance between said bolster formretaining bars to facilitate the insertion of said matrices when the said perforated matrix-forming plate is in its open position, and means to move said bolster form-retaining bars to contact and follow the said matrix as it shrinks due to the evacuation of moisture by heat when said matrixforming plate is in its closed position; both of said means including cylinders attached to said machine, double-acting fluid actuated pistons and piston-rods connected to said bolster form retaining bars; a four-way valve actuated by said per forated matrix-forming plate and controlling the movement of said pistons and said bars.

7. In a machine of the class described, having a face-heater including a curved wall for supporting a matrix to be dried and provided with heating elements and a flexible resilient cover secured to the face heater to overlie the same, together with a curved perforated matrix-forming plate hingedly mounted on said face heater to conform to the shape of said face-heater when closed; the combination of a perforated matrix-forming plate having movably mounted thereon bolster form-retaining bars, vacuum means for increasing the distance between said bolster form-retaining bars to facilitate the insertion of said matrices when the said perforated matrix-forming plate is in its open position and vacuum means to move said bolster form-retaining bars to contact and follow the said matrix as it shrinks due to the evacuation of moisture by heat when said matrixforming plate is in its closed position, both of said vacuum means including cylinders attached to the machine, double-acting vacuum actuated pistons and piston rods connected to said bolsterform retaining bars, and a four-way valve actuated by said perforated matrix-forming plate, and controlling the movement of said pistons and said bars.

8. In a machine of the class described, having a face-heater including a curved wall for supporting a matrix to be dried and provided with heating elements and a flexible resilient cover secured to the face heater to overlie the same, together with a curved perforated matrix-forming plate hingedly mounted on said face heater to conform to the shape of said face-heater when closed; the combination of a perforated matrix-forming plate having movably mounted thereon bolster form-retaining bars, electrical means for increasing the distance between the said bolster formretaining bars to facilitate the insertion of said matrices when the said perforated matrix-forming plate is in its open position and electrical means to move said bolster form-retaining bars to contact and follow the said matrix as it shrinks due to the evacuation of moisture by heat when said matrix-forming plate is in its closed position; said means including double solenoids attached to said machine and connected to said bolster form-retaining bars and adapted to electrically operate the said bars in either direction, and an electric switch adapted to control the flow of electricity to said solenoids.

CRAIG C. BAKER. 

